Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star a fast-moving fire claimed two buildings on the town square in Kinderhook village, Sun., Nov. 25. The fire was moving rapidly through the top two floors of numbers 4 and 6 Broad Street by the time fire crews arrived after 5 p.m. Both buildings are reported to be a total loss. An adjacent building sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Vacant for years, a restaurant was reportedly set to open in one of the two destroyed buildings during the coming week. No word yet on the cause of the blaze. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Some of the stories that made the news, Nov. 24 to 26, 2012.

Kyle Wind reported in the Daily Freeman the race in the 46th Senate District between Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) and Republican George Amedore is expected to come to a close this week, perhaps in a court ruling. The count of absentee and affidavit ballots in Montgomery County began Fri., Nov. 24, and continued into Saturday. Before that process began, Amedore's campaign was claiming a 500-vote lead. Amedore expected his lead to increase in Montgomery County, where he led election night. The last county to be counted will be Ulster, where 4,000 absentee ballots were sent out before the election. That count is expected to begin Mon., Nov. 26. In Ulster, Tkaczyk led Amedore by more than 7,000 votes on election night. Both sides may appear in state Supreme Court in Montgomery County, Wednesday, to address challenges. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Melanie Lekocevic reported in The Daily Mail the Athens Village Board has voted to adopt a new local law regulating the use of outdoor sound by businesses in the village. The law received unanimous board approval. Businesses will now be required to apply for a permit to play outdoor music. The rules apply equally to businesses and special events, including the Athens Street Festival and the summer concert series in Riverfront Park. Under the law, outdoor performances will be restricted to certain hours -- on weekdays, up until 10 p.m., and on weekends, prior to 11 p.m. Law enforcement officials will determine if noise levels qualify as "too loud." Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Fran Heaney reported in the Chatham Courier the Chatham Village Planning Board was forced to table a planned hearing on the proposed 45,000-square-foot Price Chopper, scheduled to take place Mon., Nov. 19. The postponement was necessary after it was revealed the attorney for developer Chatham Associates failed to notify abutting landowners of the hearing, as required by law. Chatham Associates will now make its presentation to the planning board, Mon., Dec. 17. In other business, the board approved the site plan for the relocation of Chatham Brewing from its current location in the alley off Main St. to 59 Main St. Read the full story in the Chatham Courier.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 45F; low 21F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 45F; low 27F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 44. A slight chance of snow overnight. Low around 28.

The outlook for the next three days:

Tuesday: A chance of snow, mainly after 7 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 40. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 24.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High near 40. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 24.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 40. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 22.

Sunrise today: 6:59 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:26 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 27 min.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Monday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

CATSKILL Village board meeting at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Government Committee budget meeting, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development/Planning/Tourism/Agriculture/Transportation Committee Meeting, 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
HALCOTT Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
PHILMONT Local Development Corp meeting at 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

School board meeting

HUDSON City Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. in Hudson High School library, 215 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson (828-4360).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: OneBeat Join us for a special broadcast of OneBeat, an international music exchange that took place this fall, bringing together a group of 30 young musicians from around the world to collaboratively write, record, produce and perform original music. We will hear a sneak preview of some of the music produced during the project's inaugural year and speak with OneBeat co-director Christopher Marianetti and Hudson-based production manager Gideon Crevoshay. We'll also hear the "Teenage Diaries" of youth media-makers from the Perfect Ten Afterschool Program in Hudson, on having a bad attitude, Latvian camp, pets and spicy chicken wings. Hosted by Sara Kendall.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Ariel Zangla reports in the Daily Freeman Greene County legislators are calling for the state to enact stricter mandatory sentencing laws against convicted child molesters. At its meeting Wed., Nov. 20, the county Legislature unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the state to enact a statewide mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, and a lifetime of electronic monitoring upon conviction of committing a lewd or lascivious act against any child under the age of 12. The premise is the state should take more control over the way offenders are treated, said county Legislator William Lawrence, Republican of Cairo. Lawrence chairs the Legislature's Public Safety Committee. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman. Note: Lawrence was a participant in a recent WGXC outreach event held in Durham.

Recent budget news from Columbia County:


Nathan Mayberg writes in the Register Star the Town of Stockport has passed its 2013 budget, while simultaneously increasing its water rate for the third time since October. The additional hike was based on the Town Board's decision to retain a full-time water department employee after the Richard Novak, Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, announced his retirement. The latest increase to $7.50 per thousand gallons, is more than 300 percent over the current rate, and is an increase of exactly 400 percent in the past year. The sewer rates will decrease, but not as much as expected. The town’s police department budget was also cut, although not to the extent originally proposed. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Kyle Adams reports in the Register Star the town of Greenport recently adopted its 2013 budget, coming in with a tax levy increase just below the state’s two percent cap, at 1.97 percent. The preliminary budget was approved with no changes. The budget includes an increase in water rates. The town budgeted more in 2013 for the police department, its accountant and attorneys. It projected less revenue from the mortgage tax next year, as a result of a slowdown in the housing market. Read the full story in the Register Star.

John Mason reports in the Register Star the residents of Germantown will see their taxes increase by six-tenths of a percent in 2013. Under the approved spending plan, salaries, retirement and hospitalization for town employees will increase, while expenditures for attorneys' fees and the highway department's machinery budget will remain flat, or even decrease. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The town of Kinderhook recently approved its 2013 spending plan, Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star. That budget, which reflects a 2.5 percent decrease in the tax rate, was recently approved on a unanimous vote by the town board. The villages of Valatie and Kinderhook will realize a nearly one percent decrease in the tax rate next year, as well. The plan calls for salary increases for the highway superintendent, town clerk and building inspector. Read the full story in the Register Star.

 

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 59F; low 30F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 54F; low 34F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 55. Tonight, a chance of rain and show showers before 3 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

The outlook for the next three days:

Saturday: Partly cloudy. High near 41. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 25.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 40. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 26.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 44. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 30.

Sunrise today: 6:56 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:28 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 31 min.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Friday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
HUDSON Regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission is canceled. Special meeting next week (Nov. 30) (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
12 p.m. Pure Moods: Black Friday Soundtrack for your Black Friday blues featuring the music of El Guincho, Flying Lotus, Neil Diamond, Burial, The Beach Boys, Excepter, Animal Collective, Wolf Parade, The Cocker Spaniels, Caribou, Mykki Blanco & The Mutant Angels, LCD Soundsystem and much more. Hosted by Shannekia McIntosh.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: The Felice Brothers Palenville's own Felice Brothers join us in the Hudson studio before their show Sat., Nov. 24, 2012 at Club Helsinki Hudson.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Kyle Adams writes in The Daily Mail U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer met with local leaders Wed., Nov. 21, to tour Main Street in Catskill, and to assess how his office may be able to support ongoing development efforts. Schumer stopped in the village after an appearance in East Greenbush. He discussed with county, village and business leaders what the village could do to attract more people and more businesses. Since his last visit in 2008, Schumer said he saw improvement. “It’s great,” he said. “It’s beautiful. It’s coming back.” Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Kyle Wind reports in the Daily Freeman the Greene and Schenectady county boards of elections continued to count absentee and affidavit ballots late into the afternoon, Wed., Nov. 21, in the race between Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) and Republican George Amedore for the 46th Senate District seat. Final results from those two counties were not yet available. A spokesman for the assemblyman's campaign said Amedore has pulled ahead by more than 414 votes as the counting continued. A spokesman for the Tkaczyk campaign said as the ballots continue to be counted, they expect the situation to remain fluid. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 55F; low 30F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 54F; low 34F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Sunny. High near 54. Clear overnight. Low around 32.

The outlook for the next three days:

Friday: A slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Increasing clouds. High near 55. A chance of showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. Low around 34.
Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and show showers after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 42. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 26.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 40. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 27.

Sunrise today: 6:55 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:29 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 34 min.

Town meetings

Thanksgiving Day
All nonessential federal, state, county and local municipalities are closed. Post offices, banks and school districts are also closed today.


The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show: Alice Brock Alice Brock, the artist, activist, and restaurant owner of the iconic Arlo Guthrie song, "Alice's Restaurant," speaks with her friend Ron Puhalski of Athens about food, Cuba, marijuana laws, art, music, Provincetown, and more in a Thanksgiving day special show including '60's era music and the full length Alice's Restaurant song. Produced by Sam Sebren..
10 a.m.: Tell It Like It Is: Wendy Gonyea and Sue Eiholzer Special guests are Wendy Gonyea, Onandaga Clan mother of Turtle clan and Sue Eiholzer,steering committee member of 2 Row Wampum Campaign.The Two Row Wampum belt is the symbolic record of the first agreement between Europeans and American Indian Nations on Turtle Island/North America. 2013 will mark the 400th anniversary of this first covenant, which forms the basis for the covenant chain of all subsequent treaty relationships made by the Haudenosaunee and other Native Nations with settler governments on this continent. The agreement outlines a mutual, three-part commitment to friendship, peace between peoples, and living in parallel forever (as long as the grass is green, as long as the rivers flow downhill and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west). Throughout the years, the Haudenosaunee have sought to honor this mutual vision and have increasingly emphasized that ecological stewardship is a fundamental prerequisite for this continuing friendship.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Lonesome Cowboy Thanksgiving Hour Celebrate Thanksgiving with WGXC's Lonesome Cowboys Kurt and Doug. The promise to bring a special mix of Alt Country, Blues, Rock and Roll and Americana.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: I Thought Turkeys Could Fly Radio Thanksgiving traditions such as playing Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" and Rush Limbaugh's "The True Story of Thanksgiving" and dropping live turkeys from helicopters continue to this day. Dan Seward also contributes a local Thanksgiving story.
3:30 p.m.: Kids Brain Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Giving Back on Thanksgiving We will play the new Making Contact radio documentary "New Harvest for A Modern World" on the agricultural renaissance that has taken root among the Taos Pueblo people in New Mexico. "Giving Back on Thanksgiving" WGXC talks to a variety of volunteers from the area on the spirit of giving on Thanksgiving. We will have interviews with volunteers at the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson, NY and Gunther Fishgold, owner of Tierra Coffee Roasters in Albany, NY on their first ever free Thanksgiving meal for the homeless with employees donating time to prepare the meals. We will also broadcast a Thanksgiving special produced by Sara Kendall and made by participants of the WGXC & Hudson Area Library "We Make Radio!" Youth Workshop on Sat., Nov. 17. Also, local news, events and Thanksgiving-themed music! Hosted by Richard Roth and Shannekia McIntosh.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News: Canada's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women In Canada, violence against women disproportionately affects indigenous communities. Official statistics indicate around 600 indigenous women and girls have been murdered or have gone missing over the last three decades. Many of their families have been searching for their loved ones for years. They’ve also launched initiatives to help stop the violence.
7 p.m.: The Jazz Disturbance Hosted by Cheryl K.
9:30 p.m.: '69: Underground Sounds from the Year Humans Landed on the Moon Hosted by the Magic Stranger.

Jimmy Vielkind reports in the Times Union Republican George Amedore took the lead Tues., Nov. 20, finishing the day more than 100 votes ahead of Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik), in the 46th State Senate District race. This is the third time since Friday the lead has shifted. Tkaczyk started the day roughly 30 votes ahead after absentee ballots were opened in Albany County, Monday. But Amedore surged in Greene County to gain the lead. The absentee and affidavit count began this week. Counting will continue in Greene County and begin in Schenectady County, Wednesday. Counting in Ulster and Montgomery counties will begin Friday and continue Saturday, if necessary. Amedore is expected to gain votes in Schenectady and Montgomery counties, but Tkaczyk should do well in Ulster County -- she won there on election night by nearly 8,200 votes. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Mike Ryan reports in The Daily Mail Route 17 has been officially reopened, more than a year after the half-mile stretch of road vanished in the flood waters of the East Kill, during Tropical Storm Irene. Route 17 serves as an important link between New York State routes 23 and 23A, connecting the towns of Ashland, Jewett, Lexington and Hunter. Storm waters obliterated a laid-stone retaining wall that supported the roadway and withstood many floods since the 1940's. Since the storm, motorists have been forced to navigate a steep detour along Coos Road or avoid the area altogether by traveling on Route 296 between Windham to Hunter. Other post-storm projects in Greene County near completion, include the bridge replacement on County Route 10 in Ashland, the box culvert on the Huntersfield Creek outside of Prattsville, and the reopening of County Route 6 in Lexington and the Route 40 bridge in Hensonville. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Daily Freeman is reporting unemployment rates in the Hudson Valley were little changed from September to October, according to figures released by the state Department of Labor, Tues., Nov. 20. However, in Greene County, the rate increased slightly to from 8.9 percent to 9.1 percent. In Columbia, the rate stayed unchanged at 7.4 percent. The statewide jobless rate was 8.3 percent in October, a slight increase from 8.2 percent the month before. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 50F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 48F; low 28F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly cloudy, gradually becoming sunny. High near 50. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 29.

The outlook for the next three days:

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Sunny. High near 53. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 32.
Friday: A slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 54. A chance of showers before 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 35.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 45. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 27.

Sunrise today: 6:53 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:29 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 36 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.

CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENE COUNTY Planning Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, Room 427, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3290)
HUDSON (tentative) Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more. Philip Grant, host.
10 a.m.: @Issue: John Friedman, Tom Casey, Francesca Olsen and Adam Shanks Alderman John Friedman will join us to discuss the situation at the Register Star, in addition to other issues, plus interviews with former Register Star employees Tom Casey, Francesca Olsen and Adam Shanks.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
3 p.m.: Economic Update: Puerto Rico WGXC will broadcast Pacifica's Economic Update instead of Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist this month It includes updates on Obama's re-election, unemployment's social costs, and Kodak's betrayal of retirees.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

WGXC's Sam Sebren was present when the Greene County Legislature held public hearings, Mon., Nov. 19, on the proposed pay hikes for five Greene County officials. The hearings were held at Catskill High School, with 55 people in attendance. There was some initial confusion about the number of hearings to be held -- all positions grouped together, or to hold a separate hearing for each position. The decision made was to hold four separate hearings. The proposal to raise the salaries of the county administrator and the Department of Social Services commissioner were addressed in one local law, rather than two. Under the plan being considered, the county administrator will see an increase in salary of 1.5 percent, for an annual salary of $133,980. The Department of Social Services commissioner would receive a three percent raise, for an total salary of $84,389. The county treasurer's salary will increase 6.75 percent to $79,083, and the county clerk would see a 17 percent increase for a total salary of $69,000 per year. The Sheriff is slated for an increase to $76,125. Among the people in the audience were several union members from CSEA Unit 7000 (the Civil Services Employees Association), including the group's president, Judy Soderblom. Soderblom spoke during the time allotted for comments on Local Law #5, voicing opposition to the proposed $10,000 pay increase for the County Clerk. Two other members of the public spoke, both in opposition to the pay hikes, as well.

Listen to the hearing for Local Law #4, the proposal for the Greene County Treasurer's raise, with comments by Doris Vedder, R.N., and Jessica Dillon from Greene County Mental Health here. (6:49)

Listen to the hearing for Local Law #5, the proposal for the Greene County Clerk's raise, with comments by Judy Soderblom, President of CSEA Unit 7000, here. (5:35)

Listen to the hearing for Local Law #6, the proposal for the DSS commissioner's raise, with comments from Jessica Dillon here. (3:50)

Note: The meeting was conducted by Wayne Speenburgh, Chairman of the Greene County Legislature. The notices were read by Tammy Sciavillo, Acting Clerk of the Greene County Legislature.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the proposed 2013 Columbia County budget under consideration by the Board of Supervisors will lower the property tax rate by one-third of a percent. The nearly $154 million spending plan increases spending, but the sales tax revenue is projected to increase by $3 million. The budget includes approximately $17.5 million in capital expenses for the coming year, including new projects and paying down debt. All employees will receive a 2.5 percent salary increase; the county will pay an additional 10 percent into the state pension system, and an additional 4 percent for health insurance costs. The deadline for budget approval is Dec. 20. The board will hold a public hearing, Dec. 12, at 401 State St. in Hudson. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Local Development Corporation for the Village of Catskill is opening a revolving retail space for start-ups on Main Street. The space will serve as a proving ground for artisans and retailers interested in doing business in the village. Six vendors will be invited to share the space from Dec. 1 through March 1. The LDC board of directors recently approved the plan that includes funds for insurance, utilities, marketing and other expenses. Participants will be asked to pay a reduced rent for the three-month period. If the experiment proves successful for the vendors, the LDC hopes they will decide to remain in that space or elsewhere on Main St. indefinitely. Applications require a business plan, and are due Nov. 25. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Tina Gagliardy, owner of Mahalo at 397 Main St. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 50F; low 32F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 48F; low 30F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly cloudy. High near 47. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 31.

The outlook for the next three days:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 52. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 31.
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Sunny. High near 54. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 35.
Friday: Sunny. High near 52. Scattered showers overnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 37.

Sunrise today: 6:52 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:30 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 38 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.

COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
DURHAM Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street (325-5073).
HUDSON 5 p.m. Finance Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Regular Common Council meeting at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 82 in West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Some of the stories that made the news, Nov. 17 to 19, 2012:

W. T. Eckert and Raymond Pignone report in The Daily Mail the ongoing vote count in the race for the newly created 46th Senate District, has Republican George Amedore Jr. leading Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) by 54 votes. The results were released Fri., Nov. 16, following a five-county, districtwide recanvas and audit of the votes cast on Election Day. Approximately 10,000 absentee ballots remain to be counted districtwide. Amedore held a lead of 193 votes in Greene County. The affidavit and absentee count begins at 9 a.m., Mon., Nov. 19, in Albany. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star a number of Stockport taxpayers and residents appeared outside Stockport Town Hall Sat., Nov. 17, to protest water and tax rate hikes, and the town's poor water quality. The protesters stood in the cold temperatures for two hours, voicing complaints of the town's fiscal management, poor oversight by the town board and a failure to act on the town's longstanding water issues. The Town Board has proposed a tax rate increase, various personnel cuts and an increase in the water rate of 271 percent as part of next year's budget. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Barbara Reina reports in the Register Star the Ghent Town Board unanimously approved its 2013 budget, reducing the amount to be raised by taxes by one percent. Town Board member Richard Sardo said, "No tax increase is something I can vote for.” The town's budget totals $2 million. The board also approved fire protection contracts with three local fire companies: the village of Chatham, West Ghent and Ghent. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the Taghkanic Town Board recently approved an 18-month moratorium on any drilling or hydraulic fracturing, as its zoning commission considers the potential impacts of the process. The vote was unanimous. Councilman Larry Kadish said the town board had “lots of concerns” about potential pollution and water contamination. Kadish said the board is not taking the position fracking is all bad, but that it needs to be studied further. The town zoning commission will study the issue further. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 46F; low 28F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 46F; low 28F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Sunny. High near 49. Partly cloudy tonight. Low around 28.

The outlook for the next three days:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 52. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 31.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 53. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 32.
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Mostly sunny. High near 54. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 32.

Sunrise today: 6:51 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:31 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 40 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.

ATHENS Town meeting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall, 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting at 7 p.m., at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CANAAN Planning board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENE COUNTY 6 p.m. meetings of Government Ops and Finance committees, plus party caucuses at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight
Midnight: Landlady recent performance from Spotty Dog Books & Ale.
1 a.m.: The War/The Weft recent performance from Spotty Dog Books & Ale.
2 a.m.: "Ghost stories from Remote Audio Outpost" from members of Japanther and others.
5 a.m.: "Law & Disorder" news from justice and law.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m. WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, events, music and more. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: Eat Food or Die: Todd Earling Chef Hugh Horner sits down with Todd Earling of the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Saturdays, and every night after midnight, WGXC is programmed by free103point9, a non-profit group working with artists who engage radio in their work.

Sat., Nov. 17 programming:
• "Open Air" 8-10 a.m., live from Catskill Community Center with Matt Bua. Call in at 518-219-WGXC.

• "Radia" 10-10:30 a.m., David Haines for Radio One in Dunedin, New Zealand and the "Radia" network. "Antipodean Field: Constellations from King's Rapid" is the composition.

• "Radio Wonderland" 10:30 a.m., live from Brooklyn, Joshua Fried remixes NYC morning radio on WGXC 90.7-FM.

• "Framework" 11 a.m., Scott Sherk selects works by Robert Carlberg, Harry Bertoia, Andrew Deutsch, and Christina Kubisch.

• "Rensselaer Contemporary Music Ensemble: Cage/Gould preview" Noon-2 p.m., Sheri Baur-Mayorga previews the Rensselaer Contemporary Music Ensemble: Cage/Gould show Nov. 17 at EMPAC with this rebroadcast edition of "Monday Musical Matinee." The host is participating in the program, which celebrates Cage’s centennial year and is described on the EMPAC website as a concert of classical and contemporary music directed by Michael Century, with Holland Hopson, and featuring Rensselaer student and faculty performers.

• "Distract and Disable" 2-3 p.m., Host Jonny Farrow explores Sound Sculpture, Feedback, Analogue Synthesis, Contact Mics Here and There, The Lake, Phone Poems, Noise, The Loop, The Prairie, Public Address, Construction, The Lobby/Elevator/Escalator, The Chicago River. A combination of field recordings and studio creations/manipulations, this program aims to Distract and Disable, with a leaning towards the site-specific.

• "The Human Machine" 3-4 p.m., hosted by Max Goldfarb.

• "WGXC Afternoon Show" 4-6 p.m., tunes in TCI's proposal to the Ghent Planning Board recorded by Chirs Bishop, plus a John Cage tribute by Gregory Whitehead, and previews of two Cage events in the Hudson Valley Nov. 17.

• "This Week in Conspiracy Theories" 6-7 p.m., Ron Paul explains that secession is an American tradition, from his website. Mitt Romney explains that he lost the election because President Obama gave things away to minority groups, from ABC News. A Republican group in Georgia explains President Obama won the election through mind control. Then preacher Michael Mills explains how rock bands insert secret, satanic messages in their songs. Prince, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Queen, and Metallica are sampled for backwards "masking." The show also plays songs from Patsy Cline ("Stop the World"), and others, and a news report from Free Speech Radio News about the cybersecurity bill currently before Congress. Hosted by Tom Roe.

• "Vital Weekly" 7-7:30 p.m., New music from Ang Mo Faux, Andrew Lafkas, P_Lab & Z & Kasper T. Toeplitz, Sindre Bjerga, Richard Francis & Bruce Russell & Jason Kahn, Merzbow, Bryan Eubanks & Catherine Lamb , and others.

• "Taran's Free Jazz Hour" 8-10 p.m., Tracks from Ivo Perelman, Mike Bisio, Matthew Shipp, and many others.